Meet UPB’s Summer Intern: Danny Gerber

June 08, 2023

By Dylan Tehada

Danny Gerber has been playing basketball for as long as he can remember. His journey started at six years old playing for a club team of only seven players coached by his friend’s dad. As he became more dedicated to the sport, he joined more competitive leagues such as the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) for St. Hilary’s and North Bay Basketball Academy (NBBA). 

Gerber brings expertise and experience from the high school level as he played for Stuart Hall High School during his freshman year along with Drew High School during his sophomore to senior year of high school. His basketball career is still going strong to this day, as he is going into his second year playing at the collegiate level for the reigning division champion St. Andrews University in Scotland. 

In fourth grade, while Gerber was playing for NBBA, he was coached by Coach Packie Turner and started taking individual lessons. His love for the game grew immensely during the early years of his basketball journey, and Coach Packie played a big role in shaping who Danny is today. Ever since Gerber was young, he looked up to Coach Packie as a role model. Whether it be watching Packie’s college highlights or taking individual lessons, Gerber was inspired to improve his game and eventually play at the collegiate level. 

Growing up as a small point guard himself, Gerber admired how Packie was able to dominate in college despite not being the tallest player on the court. Gerber said that “[Packie] brought that mindset that [he] can still be a great player even though [he is] small… [He now] can just take advantage of little things like being quicker than everyone.” 

Through Packie’s guidance and mentorship, Gerber learned how to take advantage of his speed and quickness as a floor general in order to make up for his lack of height. As he continues his basketball journey and begins his role as an intern at UPB, Gerber seeks to impart the same wisdom and influence he has gained from Coach Packie to the players that he mentors and coaches.

Although basketball is at the forefront of Gerber’s interests, he also finds joy in other activities off the court. Being born and raised in the city of Tiburon in Marin County, Gerber has always been surrounded by nature. He enjoys exploring nature in his hometown whether it be by going on hikes or surfing during his free time. 

Gerber also has a great deal of talent behind the camera as he enjoys both film and digital photography. In fact, this summer Gerber is going abroad to Japan to shoot a video for his friend’s family, which gives him the opportunity to show off his film and photography skills. In addition to his experience as an athlete, Gerber is also passionate and dedicated to his studies. At the University of St. Andrews, Gerber studied Astrophysics during his freshman year and is now pursuing a double major in Management and Psychology. 

Gerber has been a part of the UPB community from the very beginning. He attended the opening of UPB’s first gym and has followed the program ever since. As he begins his first summer as an intern and coach at UPB, Gerber seeks to share his experience and provide guidance to players seeking to reach their full potential as basketball players. He understands that teachers and coaches possess great power and responsibility when it comes to bringing out the best in others. 

Whether it be by coaching the young athletes in the Little Hoopers program or helping out with the adult training sessions, Gerber is determined to foster a fun environment and instill a strong sense of dedication and passion for the game of basketball for the players he coaches. 

“I just want everyone to have as much fun as possible. I want to make everyone as dedicated to basketball,” Gerber said. “In school or basketball or any activity… the teacher that you have changes everything…so I just want to be here and be in the moment and give my all to all the kids.”

We are excited and fortunate to have Danny with us this summer and cannot wait to see the difference he makes in the UPB community!